Channel 9’s Grand Final coverage torn to shreds by rugby league fans

Rugby league fans have been left venting their frustration on grand final day after being forced to watch the free to air host broadcaster.

Rugby league fans have voiced their outrage over the host broadcaster for the biggest game of the year.

The NRL Grand Final blockbuster between the Storm and Broncos was shown exclusively on Channel 9 and streaming platform 9Now, a fact that didn’t sit well with plenty of viewers.

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Throughout the season and in the early weeks of the finals NRL fans can watch every single home and away game on Fox League, but the TV rights deal means the decider is only shown live on the Nine Network.

Those tuning in were quick to take to social media to vent with many calling on the NRL to change things in the future.

Things got off to a nightmare start for the broadcaster when leading sports commentator Nick McArdle’s voiced failed him.

As he introduced Sports Sunday, McArdle was left in all sorts with a husky voice that was equal parts Darren Lockyer and Bill Lawry.

McArdle had panellists Mark Taylor, Gus Worland and Ellie Cole in stitches as he made an apology.

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But as the day went on, viewers were left incensed that they were being “forced” to tune into the only available option.

Raiders supporter account The Greenhouse wrote on X: “Why on earth are we forced to watch a broadcaster that interrupts the Grand Final with ads? And does not show every moment of the game?”

The Daily Telegraph columnist The Oracle added: “Fox League broadcast every single NRL match during the season …. except the Grand Final & it’s sooooo frustrating. The 3 Origin matches is painstakingly enough, but GIVE US A CHOICE for the GF. Without mentioning names.. Nine’s commentary is deplorable. My ears bleed.”

A third viewer added: “Channel 9 is just horrendous to watch the Footy. Please NRL in the next TV deal sort this s**t out. Fox League needs to able to show these games live.”

A fourth posted: “It is nights like this that make you realise why Foxtel is 100% worth paying for. Channel 9 and Channel 7 coverage of our two biggest sports are horrendous!”

Billy Slater failed to emulate Gus Gould’s normal pre-game speech.

Billy Slater’s pre-game address falls flat

Melbourne Storm superstar Billy Slater took the baton this year from Phil Gould who usually delivers a spine-tingling pre-game speech as he strolls across the Accor Stadium turf.

Slater wandered along just inside the fence line, but his attempt to emulate the NRL supremo didn’t hit the right note with fans.

Instead what he delivered was a rather nonchalant bit of chatter that would have struggled to fire up any viewer.

Watch Slater’s awkward pre-game address in the video player above

League Unlimited wrote on X: “Billy Slater with a final-word esque intro for his club, Melbourne Storm.”

Lisa Potts wrote: “I have second hand embarrassment right now, watching Billy Slater doing this.”

Another wrote: “Billy Slater doing the Gus Gould bit … and he’s not good at it.”

Pointsbet however saw it differently to most as they posted: “Billy Slater has us ready to run through a brick wall.”